Check valve injector for steam generating irons



Aug- 7, 43, M. A. SCHWARTZ- 2,326,890'

CHECK VALVE INJECTOR FOR STEAM GENERATING IRONS Filed Aug. 20, 194i $2254 Few/r4222" Patented Aug. 17, 1943 CHECK VALVE INJECTOR FOR STEAM GENERATING IRONS Morris A. Schwartz, Los Angeles, Calif. Application August 20, 1941, Serial No. 407,591

4 Claims.

This invention relates to steam generating irons wherein water is fed through a steam generating chamber in the iron, converted into steam and expelled through passages in the bottom or ironing surface of the iron.

Irons of this general class have been heretofore developed wherein the steam generating chamber is formed by passages located in the iron. The outlet from the steam generating chamber formed by these passages is usually provided by perforations located in the bottom surface of the iron near the outer edges thereof. The outlets however may be otherwise located so as to effectively steam the fabric as it is being ironed. Water is fed into the steam generating chamber or the steam generating passages either from a water receptacle mounted on the iron itself or from a supply reservoir supported in elevated position. In the latter instance the water may be conducted from the elevated reservoir to the iron through a flexible hose. A regulating valve regulates the rate at which water is supplied to the steam generating chamber in the iron.

It not infrequently occurs that due to the varying temperatures of the iron that the water supplied thereto is quickly converted into steam which cannot be expelled at a sufficiently high rate through the outlet passages. Consequently, a pressure is developed in the steam generating passages that is effective to attempt reverse flow through the water supply passages. I have heretofore developed a steam generating iron wherein there is a check valve located in the water supply passages that prevents reverse flow therethrough under these conditions. I find, however, that it is desirable to supply a small additional amount of water to the steam generating chamber after or upon the closing of the check valve in the water supply passage. If no additional water is supplied to the generator upon the closing of the check valve some little time is lost in allowing the steam therein to be expelled through the outlet passages or perforations. Such steam as may be in the generating chamber under these circumstances is very apt to be heated to superheated steam or dry steam which is objectionable, it being desirable at all times to cause a wet steam or hot water vapor to be expelled evenly and continuously through the outlet passages.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of check valve construction located in the water supply passage of a steam generating iron which will close that passage against reverse flow therethrough and which will supply a small additional amount of water to the steam generating chamber after or upon the closing of the check valve. This small additional amount of water that is supplied to the chamber tends to cool the chamber against the formation of superheated steam and to cause wet steam to continue to be delivered even though the check valve may be momentarily closed due to the back pressure in the iron.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will be made manifest in the following detailed description and specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference is had to the accompanying drawing for an illustrative embodiment of the invention, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in rear elevation of a steam generating iron illustrating the check valve embodying the present invention as having been applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section through the check valve embodying the present invention; and

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken substantially upon the line 3-3 upon Fig. 2.

Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout, the iron i0 is a steam generating iron having a steam generating chamber therein adjacent its base, the steam generating chamber being of any preferred or conventional design and usually is in the form of tortuous passages formed in the iron having outlet perforations connecting the passages with the flat bottom surface of the iron. The iron may be heated in any suitable way such as by electric heating elements incorporated in the construction of the iron, these elements being supplied with electric current through a cord II. The water that is to be fed. to the steam generating chamber is supplied thereto through a passage l2 which passage is connected through a tubular body l3 and a regulating valve H to a hose l5 which hose receives its water from a suitable source of supply, such as for example an elevated reservoir.

The tubular body l3 has threaded therein a valve seat IS, the valve seat being horizontally disposed. A check valve having a stem ll is associated with the valve seat, the stem extending through the valve seat with a suitable clearance l8. A cotter pin [9 or the equivalent prevents the stem from dropping through the valve seat and serves to suspend the valve so that its head 20 is normally in spaced relation to the constitutes a small reservoir for a small amount of water.

The operation and advantages of the check valve injector for steam generating irons is as follows. Under normal operating conditions the regulating valve i4 regulates the flow of water from hose ii to passage i2. The valve is normally open as shown in Fig. '2. The water that flows down past the check valve through clearance i8 nlls the annular recess or reservoir 22 and spills therefrom into the passage i2 from which it passes to the steam generating chamber or passages in the iron. Inthe event that steam is quickly generated in the generating passages so that pressure is developed in the steam generator, this pressure causes the valve to be forced upwardly against the seating surface 2! closing the water passage against the reverse flow of steam into hose I5. At the same time, however, the sudden closing of the valve causes whatever water is in the recess or reservoir 22 to be drawn upwardly against the bottom surface of the seat i6. Thus, upon the closing of the valve a small additional amount of water is supplied to the steam generating chamber tending to cool the chamber, prevent the formation of superheated steam, and causing the steam that is expelled through the perforations in the bottom of the iron to remain as wet steam.

The generation of steam in the generating chamber to such an extent as to create a back pressure that will close the valve is usually but a mere temporary condition and as soon-as this back pressure is relieved by the steam escapingtional water can be supplied from the hose It This, of course, immediately refills the reservoir or groove 22 to establish this small additional supply of water that is supplied to the generating chamber upon the next operation of the check valve.

It will be understood that although I have i1- lustrated the invention as connected to a hose i leading from an elevated reservoir or' water supply that the water supply may be provided by a small can or receptacle that is mounted directly on the iron itself.

While the invention has been primarily designed for use in conjunction with a steam generating iron, it will be appreciated that it may be advantageously employed in conjunction with any form of steam generator where it is desirable to have wet or moist steam generated and discharged, such as for example, steam cabinets for steaming towels and the like.

From the above-described construction it will be appreciated that an improved check valve is provided for steam generating irons which will prevent reverse iiow through the water passage and at the same time discharge a small additional amount of water into the passage l2 and the steam generating chamber upon the closing of the check valve.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

I. In combination with a steam generating iron to which water is fed to be converted into steam by the heat of the iron and then expelled therefrom, a check valve in the passage through which the water is fed to the iron, said check valve having a water retaining recess from which water is discharged into the passage upon the closing of the check valve.

2. In combination with an iron having a steam generating chamber, means providing a passage through which wateris fed to the generating chamber, means for closing said passage against reverse flow therethrough, and means responsive to the closing of the passage against reverse flow for supplying a small additional amount of water to the chamber upon the closing of said means.

3. In combination with an iron having a steam generating chamber, means providing a passage through which water is fed to the generating chamber, means for closing said passage against reverse flow therethrough, and means providing a reservoir for a-small supply of water between the closing means and the chamber responsive to the closing of said passage against reverse flow to be emptied into the chamber.

4. In combination with an iron having a steam generating chamber, means providing a passage through which water is fed to the chamber, a downwardly facing valve seat in said passage, an upwardly closing valve presenting a seating surface adapted to seat thereon, said valve having an open-topped recess formed thereon arranged outwardly of the seating surface thereon whereby on the valve closing to prevent reverse flow through the passage, water in the recess may be I discharged therefrom and supplied to the chamber.

MORRIS A. SCHWARTZ. 

